Timing device



Dec. 14, 1943. P, D. NIELSEN TI-MING DEVICE Filed Aug. 19 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet l I EN, 44- "L 8 iAifl/forncg A m h P. D. NIELSEN TIMING DEVICE Dec. 14, 1943.

Filed Aug. 19, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l/Qi fife/neg.

Patented Dec. 14, 1943 TIMING DEVICE Peer D. Nielsen, Lorain, Ohio, assignor to National Tube Company. a corporation of New Jer- Application August 19, 1940, Serial No. 353,305

8 Claims.

This invention relates to a timing device and particularly to an improved'timing device adaptable especially for open hearth furnace operations and the like.

Various types of timing devices have been suggested and used. While some of these have been satisfactory in their use, they were complicated and expensive in their construction and maintenance. In most timing devices, the setting of the desired time interval is accomplished by turning the scale on the clock dial to the mark which indicates the time interval desired and the interval is timed by the dial rotating to the zero position, at which point timing ceases. In many operations, where a timer of the type described herein may be used, the end of the time interval, which is usually denoted by some form of a signaling device, may not be noted immediately when the timing ceases, and in such case, if the elapse of the time interval is not immediately noted, there is no indication of the duration of the elapsed time, i. e., from the end of the time interval to the time when it is finally noticed that the desired time interval has been exceeded.

For instance, when such a timer is used to time the reversal interval in the operation of an open hearth furnace, the duties of the furnace operator are such that he maynot be in the vicinity of the timing device when the completion of the desired reversal interval is indicated, and consequently, when he does discover that the time interval has ended, he does not know how much time has elapsed between the end of the time interval and the time when the elapse of the desired time interval has been brought to his attention, which is detrimental to that particular heat in the furnace.

Furthermore, in most timing devices heretofore proposed and used, in the setting of the time interval, as has been stated, the scale on the clock dial had to be accurately set opposite the mark indicating the desired time interval,

thus requiring a careful positioning of the dial which is, in effect, a resetting of the time interval for each cycle which is troublesome and inconvenient.

The timing device of the present invention is so constructed and arranged that the timing continues uninterrupted after the desired time interval is once set. The setting of the time interval is independent of the setting of the clock dial for another timing cycle, and the desired time interval is permanently set and remains at that setting for repeated cycles until purposely changed. Also, careful attention is not required to reset the timer for another cycle, as the clock dial is merely turned to the zero position and is limited from further travel by a positive stop and such resetting may be accomplished without looking at the timing device.

Also, due to the fact that the timing does not cease at the end of the desired time interval in the timing device of the present invention, the elapsed time can be easily and quickly noted. This is particularly advantageous in the use of such timing device in connection with open hearth furnace operations, as above referred to,

for if the operator is not in the vicinity of the timing device at the end of the desired reversal interval, the clock dial will accurately show the length of time elapsed between the end of the time interval and the instant of noting the dial and a correction may be made without spoiling or in any way damaging the heat. As such timers are used specifically for the purpose of assisting the furnace operator in firing the furnace for an equal length of time from each end of the furnace in order to keep the checker chambers in balance, it is very advantageous to know the exact duration of the firing interval. With the present timing device, in which the elapsed time is so accurately indicated and a new timing interval is so easily set, it is a simple matter for the operator to reset the timer so that an equal length of firing time is followed on the opposite end of the furnace.

Accordingly, it is one of the objects of the present invention to provide an improved timing device which is simple and inexpensive in its construction and maintenance, and at the same time, one which is accurate and indicates correctly the elapsed time interval.

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved timing device which consists of a minimum number of parts, and one which can be easily and conveniently used.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved timing device which can be easily and quickly reset after one desired time interval has elapsed for the next time interval, and at the same time, a timing device in which the setting is more accurate and positive than any other timer heretofore proposed.

Various other objects and advantages of this invention will become more apparent in the course of the following specification, and will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, there is shown for the purpose of illustration, one embodiment which my invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical section through the improved timing device of my invention;

Figure 2 is a front elevation thereof with part of the housing cut away so as to show the arrangement of the calibrated dials therein;

Figure 3 is a section taken on line III-III of Figure 1; and

Figure 4 is a wiring diagram of the electrical circuit incorporated with my timing device and which it is adapted to control.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the improved timing device of my invention comprises a housing or body member 2 having front and back walls 3 and 4, respectively, and a diaphragm or plate-like member 5 arranged therein so as to provide a rearwardly disposed housing portion 6 and a forwardly disposed "housing portion 7. There is suitably mounted centrally of the body member 2 and extending through the diaphragm 5 and preferably through the front wall 3 of the same, a clock dial shaft 8. There is arranged in the rearwardly disposed housing portion 6 preferably a conventional electric clock or timing motor 9 which is adapted to drive the dial shaft 8 at a constant speed by means of the gearing l0 and friction clutch l2 in a manner well known to those skilled in the art. It will be understood that the motor 9 is adapted to rotate the shaft 8 one revolution in a certain predetermined time, such as sixty minutes, representing one hour.

According to the present invention, there is loosely mounted for rotation on the dial shaft 8 in the forwardly disposed housing portion I, a

rotatable disk-like member i3 preferably having gear teeth l4 arranged around the periphery thereof. The disk-like member I3 is spaced from the'diaphragm 5 preferably by means of a bushing l5 attached thereto and there is arranged on the outer side of the disk-like member l3 on the shaft 8 preferably a friction spring l6 which is adapted to prevent rotation of the disk-like member I3 by the shaft 8. There is securely mounted on the dial shaft 8 forwardly of the disk-like member l3, at a spaced distance therefrom, another disk-like member I! having a calibrated clock dial l8 arranged around the outer face thereof, as shown in Figure 2, with the calibrations representing intervals of the predetermined time of one revolution of the shaft 8 and dial. There is securely mounted on the outer end of the shaft 8 immediately in front of the front wall or face of the body member 2, a knob IQ for turning the shaft 8 together with the disk-like member I1 carried thereby for a purpose hereinafter to be explained.

There is securely arranged with the disk-like member I3 and preferably attached thereto and spaced therefrom on the front side thereof by means of a plurality of post-like members 20 and machine screws or bolts 2i, an annular member 22 which is concentrically arranged with the disklike member I1 and preferably in the same plane. That is, the disk-like member l1 preferably fits within the annular member 22. There is arranged on the outer face of the annular member 22, a calibrated clock dial 23, as shown in Figure 2, with the calibrations thereof prefer ably corresponding to the calibrations on the disklike member I! for indicating intervals of the predetermined time also of one revolution of the shaft 8.

There is pivotally mounted on the outer side of the disc-like member I 3, as shown in Figure also connected in series with the electrical circuit, and a tension coil spring 29 for retaining the switch 21 in either one of two positions, that is, for retaining the contacting portion of the switch against the screw stop member 25 or against the screw contacting member 26, in a well known manner. The circular plate-like toggle switch 21 preferably has a notch 30 a1- ranged in the lower side thereof and has a pawl 3| pivotally arranged thereon with one side of said pawl adapted to form one side of the notch 30 and with a tension coil spring 32 for retaining the pawl in its normal position. It is preferable that the toggle switch 21 be positioned on the disk-like member 13 at a point directly in back of and opposite the zero calibration on the annular member 22 so as to coincide angularly therewith, or at least so positioned therein that it is in proper relation to the zero calibration on the annular member 22, so as to obtain the desired result. There is also arranged in the electrical circuit with the toggle switch 21 and the contacting member 26, as is clearly shown in the electrical circuit shown in Figure 4, preferably a socket member 33 having a lamp or electric light bulb 34 associated therewith, for signaling purposes, and preferably a conventional switch 35 for connecting the circuit to an electrical supply line. The socket member 33'and switch 35 are preferably mounted on top of the body member 2. Although an electric lamp is illustrated as a means for signaling completion of the timing 'cycle, it will be understood that any other suitable signaling device or devices may be used if desired, or the electrical circuit of the timing device could be incorporated with a relay or relays for automatically setting in motion or controlling other apparatus or equipment at the completion,

of the timing cycle.

There is mounted on the inner side of the disk like member or dial IT, as shown in Figure 1, means such as an outwardly extending actuating bracket member or pin 36 for actuating or tripping the toggle switch 21 upon rotation of the disk-like member or dial IT, in a manner to be later described. The bracket-like actuating member or pin 36 is positioned preferably directly in back of and opposite the zero calibration on the dial l1. There is arranged on the outer surface of the disk-like member, preferably immediately back of the knob l9, as shown in Figure 2, a stop member preferably in the form of a pin 31 extending through an opening 38 arranged in the front wallvor face 3 of the body member around the shaft 8, and which is adapted to cooperate with a plate-like stop member preferably in the form of a pawl 39 which is pivotally attached at 30 to the outer surface of the front wall or face 3 to one side and adjacent the opening 38 therein. The lower end of the plate-like pawl 39 is preferably bent inwardly as at 4| so as to rest on the edge of the opening 30 in order to prevent rotation of the pawl in a clockwise direction.

There is suitably journaled in the diaphragm 5 and front wall or face 3 of the body member 2, a shaft 42 on which there is securely mounted a pinion gear 43 which meshes with the teeth 14 arranged around the periphery of the disk-like member l3. On the outer end of the shaft 42 in by the clock motor 9 is started. The desired time interval is then set by turning the disk-like member l3, together with the annular member 22 carried thereby, by means of the knob 44 through the action of shaft l2 and gear 43 until the calibrations of the desired interval appear on the calibrated dial 23 carried by the annular member 22 through a slotted opening or window 45 arranged in the lower portion of the front wall or face 3 and the desired calibration is positioned opposite the indicating means, preferably a pointer or hair-line 46 arranged centrally of the opening on the front wall 3 of the housing 2, The timing interval is then started by rotating the disk-like member I! in a counter-clockwise,

direction by means of the knob I! which turns 25 the dial shaft 8 to which the dial H is attached, until the stop pin 31 carried thereby strikes the stop member or pawl 39 which prevents further turning of the same in a counter-clockwise direction, Thezero calibration of the calibrated dial .30

it will then be positioned opposite a pointer or hair-line l7 arranged with a slotted opening or window 48 arranged in the upper portion of the front wall 3. The clock motor 9 having been previously set in motion by the closing of the switch 35 35 turns the dial shaft 3, together with the disklike member or dial il in a clockwise direction through the action of the gearing "I. At the completion of the previously set, time interval,

the actuating bracket member or pin 38 on the 40 inner side of the dial l1 drops in the notch 30 of the toggle switch 21 and trips the same about its pivotal connection 23, so as to position the same against the contacting member 26 thereby closing the circuit through the electric lamp 34 .45

lighting the same and signaling that the time interval has been completed. Timing then continues until the lighted lamp is noticed by the operator and the timing device is then reset for the next succeeding time cycle of the same interval as the one just completed, resetting of the timing cycle, namely, the disk-like member I3 is not necessary as it is already set.

To set the timer for another operation, the

dial i1 is again turned in a counter-clockwise direction by means of the knob i9 until the pin 31 strikes the stop member or pawl 39, as before. As the dial i1 is moved to such position, it engages its clockwise direction, which is a derided advantage. That is, the pawl 3'! constitutes one side of the notch 30 and when the actuating bracket member 36 carried by the dial il strikes 5 the outer side of the pawl 3| the same is rotated about'its pivotal connection against the action of the spring 32 arranged therewith. Also, it will be seen that the zero stop, namely, the pawl 39 is so constructed that it offers no resistance to a clockwise rotation of the clock dial l1. That-is, clockwise motion can continue independently without interference from the stop as the pin 31 carried by the dial I1 will merely trip the pawl 39 about its pivot Ill, thereby having no effect when the dial is rotating in a clockwise direction. When the dial I1 is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction to reset to zero, the pawl 38 is so presented to the pin 31 that continual movement is prevented when the zero point is reached, whereby accurate resetting to zero is accomplished. Thus, it will be seen that the zero position is definitely and positively indicated by refusal of the dial to be rotated any further which, as has been explained, is also .a decided advantage over other tlming devicesheretofor proposed and used.

While l'have shown and described an embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that this embodiment is merely for the purpose of illustration and description,and that various other forms may be devised within the scope of my invention, as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A timing device of the class described, ineluding in combination, a rotatable member, means for driving said member at a constant speed so'that the same will be rotated one revolution in a definite predetermined time, a second rotatable member mounted adjacent and coaxially with said first mentioned rotatable member with which it is adapted to cooperate, means for adjusting the angular position of said second mentioned rotatable member about the axis of said members independently of said first mentioned rotatable member for any desired interval of the predetermined time, a switch mechanism carried by said second mentioned rotatable member, and means carried by said first mentioned rotatable member for actuating said switch another timing cycle. If it is desired to have 5" mechanism upon rotation of said first mentioned rotatable member, said actuating means adapted to actuate said switch mechanism after the first mentioned rotatable member upon which said actuating means is mounted has moved the same into engagement with the switch mechanism after the time interval selected has elapsed, said first mentioned rotatable member adapted to continue to rotate after the switch mechanism has been actuated by the switch actuating means carried with the pawl 3| to one side of the notch 30 on thereby the toggle switch 21 thereby tripping the same again about its pivotal connection 23- so as to cause the same to move out of contact with the contacting member 26, whereby the circuit is 2. A timing device of the class described, in cluding in combination, a rotatable disk member having calibrations arranged thereon represent- ,ing intervals of time, means for driving said disk opened and the lamp is turned out and the toggle member at a constant speed so that the Same switch is positioned against the stop member 21 where it remains until it is again tripped by'the pin 31 when the dial I! is traveling in a clockwise. direction as above described.

will be rotated one revolution in a definite predetermined time, a second rotatable disk member having calibrations arranged thereon for indicating similar intervals of time and which is mount- As a result of my invention, it will be seen that ed 603x181]? with said first mentioned disk the toggle switch is constructed and arrangeds'o that even though the clock dial ll makes a complete revolution after any desired time interval has been completed and signaled, it will not ber, means for adjusting the angular position of one of said disk members about the axis: of said members independently of the other disk member for any desired interval of the predetermined,

interfere with continued travel of the clock dial in time,.a.switch mechanism carried by one of said the switch mechanism carried by the other disk member after the time interval selected has elapsed, said driven disk member adapted to continue to rotate after the switch mechanism has been actuated by the switch actuating means.

3. A timing device of the class described, ine cluding in combination, a rotatable disk member having calibrations arranged thereon representing the passage of time, means cooperating with said calibrations forindicating thereon the passage of time, means for driving said disk member at a constant speed whereby the same is adapted to rotate one revolution in a definite predetermined time, a rotatable member which is adapted to be adjusted to any angular positionabout the common axis of said members independently of said disk member for any desired interval of the predetermined time, a switch mechanism carried by said second mentioned rotatable member adjacent said disk member, an annular member having calibrations arranged thereon representing similar intervals of time, means cooperating with the calibrations on said annular member for indicating intervals of time thereon, said annular member being coaxially arranged with and securely attached to said second mentioned rotatable member and disposed concentric with said disk member, and means carried by said disk member adjacent saidrsecond mentioned rotatable member, said last mentioned means adapted to cooperate with and to actuate said switch mechanism carried by. said second mentioned rotatable member upon rotation of said disk member, said actuating means adapted to actuate said switch mechanism after the disk member upon which said actuating means is mounted has moved the same to position opposite said switch mechanism after the time interval selected has elapsed, said disk member adapted to continue to rotate after the switch mechanism has been actuated by the switch actuating means carried thereby.

4. A timing device of the class described including in combination, a rotatable disk member, means for driving said disk member at a constant speed so that the same will rotate one revolution in a definite predetermined time, said disk member having calibrations carried thereby representing intervals of the predetermined time,

stationary indicating means which cooperates with the calibrations on said disk member for indicating thereon the time elapsed, a second disk member mounted for rotative adjustable movement, said last mentioned disk member having corresponding calibrations carried thereby representing intervals of the predetermined time; stationary indicating means which cooperates with the calibrations on said last mentioned disk for indicating thereon any particular time intervai, mechanism adapted to be controlled by said device, means carried by one of said disks for controlling the actuation of said mechanism, and means carried by the other of said disks for actuating upon rotation thereof said last mentioned means, saidmeans for controlling the actuation of said mechanism arranged at a point on that disk co-related to the calibrations arranged thereon whereby the same will be actuated by the actuating means carried by the other of said disks at theend of any particular time interval selected by the setting of the last mentioned disk.

5. A timing device of the class described ineluding in combination, a rotatable disk member, means for driving said disk member at a constant speed so that the same will rotate one revolution in a definite predetermined time, said disk memher having calibrations carried thereby representing intervals of the predetermined time, stationary indicating means which cooperates with the calibrations on said disk member for indicating thereon the time elapsed, a second disk member mounted for rotative adjustable movement, said last mentioned disk member having corresponding calibrations carried thereby representing intervals of the predetermined time, stationary indicating means which cooperates with the calibrations on said last mentioned disk for indicating thereon any particular time interval, means for rotating said last mentioned disk member whereby the desired calibration thereon may be positioned opposite the stationary indicating means, aswitch carried by said last mentioned disk, mechanism adapted to be controlled by said switch, and means carried by said first mentioned disk for actuating upon rotation thereof said switch, said switch arranged on said disk at a point co-related to the calibrations arranged thereon whereby the same will be actuated by the actuating means carried by the first mentioned disk at the end of any particular time interval selected by the setting of the last mentioned disk.

6. A timing deviceof the class described including in combination, a rotatable disk member, means for driving said disk member at a constant speed so that the same will rotate one revolution in a definite predetermined time, said disk member having calibrations carried thereby representing intervals or the predetermined time, stationary indicating means which cooperates with the calibrations on said disk member for indicating thereon the time elapsed, a rotatable member mounted for rotative adjustable movement having calibrations carried thereby representing intervals of the predetermined time, stationary indicating means which cooperates with the calibrations on said last mentioned rotatable member for indicating thereon any particular time interval, means for rotating said last mentioned rotatable member whereby the desired calibration thereon may be positioned opposite the stationary indicating means, a toggle switch carried by said last mentioned rotatable member, mechanism adapted to be controlled by said switch, means carried by said disk member for actuating upon rotation thereof said switch so as to close the same when the disk member is rotated in one direction and to open the same when the disk member is rotated in the opposite direction, said switch arranged on said disk at a point co-related to the calibrations arranged thereon whereby the same will be actuated by the actuating means carried by the disk member at the end of any particular time interval selected by the setting of the last mentioned rotatable member, and means for limiting the rotation of the disk member in the one direction so that the same will be set when so limited at a point cor- .responding to zero.

7. A timing device of the class described including in combination, a rotatable disk member means for driving said disk member at a con stant speed so that the same will rotate one revolution in a definite predetermined time, said disk member having calibrations arranged on the outer face thereof predetermined t which cooperates disk member for jnereon the time elapsed, a second d nher mounted for rotative adjustable movement, an annular mem ber attached to said last mentioned disk; member and arranged concentrically with first men." tioned disk member so as to e disposed "e-= around, said annular member crresponding calibrations arranged on t1 race thereof representing intervals o: A, predetermined time, stationary indicating; means which cooperates with the calibrations on said annular member for indicating thereon any particular time interval, a switch carried by one or said disk members mechanism adapted to be controlled by said switch, means carried by the other of said disk members for actuating upon rotation thereof said switch so as to close the same when that disk member is rotated in one direction to open the s rotated the o arranged on said disl: at corresponding to the zero calibration arranged thereon whereby the same will be actuated by the ac tuating means carried by the other disk member at the end of any particular time interval se lected by the setting of the last mentioned disk member, and means for limiting the rotation of the first mentioned disk member in one direction so that the same will be set when so limited at a point corresponding to zero.

8. A timing device of the class described, the combination, as defined in claim 7, including means for manually rotating each oi! the disk members whereby the desired calibrations on both the annular member and the disk member may be positioned opposite their respective stationary indicating means.

PEER D. NEISEN. 

